Report: Cabinteely 0-3 Dons

The Dons capped off their pre-season tour of Ireland with a 3-0 victory over Cabinteely at Stradbrook.

The men from MK1 took the lead 13 minutes in through a sublime solo goal from Carl Baker before substitutes Daniel Powell and Simon Church added to the scoreline in the second half.

For the side’s final friendly in Ireland, Robinson started the players who began Tuesday’s night clash with Limerick on the bench with David Martin and Tom Hitchcock the only exceptions.

Although chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges, the Dons were clearly the dominant side.

They almost broke the deadlock on 10 minutes when Antony Kay attempted an ambitious half-volley from no less than 35-yards out. The effort dipped at the right time and looked destined for the top corner but Cabinteely keeper Dylan Moran kept it out.

Then, just as they had done in their previous two friendlies in Ireland, Robinson’s side opened the scoring courtesy of Baker who, in the 13th minute, weaved his way past three Cabinteely defenders before drilling an unstoppable effort into the top of the net. 1-0.

Rasulo went close to doubling the advantage soon after but his poked effort was blocked by the goalie. Baker then had a chance to add to his tally but, from the edge of the area, he failed to the net.

It really should have been two-nil just before the half-hour mark when Rasulo nipped in and won the ball off the last Cabinteely defender, however, he couldn’t find the finish required when one-on-one with Moran.

McFadzean also went close prior to the interval but his header from Baker’s corner looped just wide of the left post.

There was only the one change for the Dons at half-time with young defender Harry Hickford replacing McFadzean in the centre of defence.

That backline was tested early in the second period, with Cabinteely striker Sadiq Oguntola twice going close – first he was denied by a good Martin save and then his next shot was blocked by a sliding Hickford.

The rest of the planned changes followed on the hour mark with Hickford and Rasulo the only two players remaining on the pitch and Cody Cropper and Darren Potter the two staying on the bench.

Moments after those replacements, Church went close to bagging his first of the summer but his low left-footed shot was well saved by the goalkeeper.

While the Wales international didn’t convert his chance, just a few minutes later he turned provider for the Dons’ second of the evening – taking the ball past the on-rushing Cabinteely stopper and setting up Powell to stab home from close range. 2-0.

Eventually, though, the striker's first goal of pre-season arrived. On 75 minutes, he latched onto Powell's lofted through pass and brought the ball down before beating the keeper with a low finish. 3-0.

Robinson's side continued to dominate in the final exchanges and created chances with both Ben Reeves and Joe Walsh going close, the latter seeing a header deflected onto the crossbar.

In the end, though, the Dons' pre-season campaign ended in a 3-0 victory and with plenty of positives for Robinson to take back to stadiummk with him.